Even if it's slowly but surely my Etsy sales are on the rise! And view are too! I'm not sure where they all came from but my views in the past couple of days have been staggering. I actually scrolled through all of the treasuries to see if I was featured. But alas, I couldn't find it! Maybe I was on the front page and just didn't see it in time! Did you happen see me on the front page?

I had another sale this morning...

Fiona - Wrap in Charcoal Grey. Made with a mohair/acrylic blend yarn.

She's very lovely - I really enjoyed making this piece. It's very soft, squeezable and warm. And because it's wide and long, it's very versatile. Wrap it, wear as a scarf or a cowl (hey you could even use it as a lap-ghan). Surprisingly, as soon as this sold, my views dropped immediately. That alone tells me something was up!

I miss her already! Maybe I'll have to make another one - not much planned this weekend except packing anyway! Why not!

Initially, I was drawn to this shop because of it's name! MuffinTops can have a double meaning (especially for all of us women out there who have a little "extra" around the middle)! Hilarious! Then I browsed her shop and was delighted to see such beautiful jewelery! And Sock Monkeys to boot! Who doesn't love Sock Monkeys!?

Q. How long have you been "crafting" in your art medium?A. In my first life, I was a fine arts major specializing in drawing, painting and installation art. However, life moved in ways I didn't predict and I ended up with a masters in Art Therapy and working in non-profit mental health housing and support! I took up jewelry making after a small personal crisis and never looked back since! The sock monkeys were a project for an art group I was running with clients and I got addicted to making them.

Q. How long have you been a part of Etsy?:A. I've been a part of Etsy for about a year and a half. My cousin had found this site and suggested that I start selling here!

Q. Tell me about yourself:A. I've been told that I'm a multitasking whirlwind! I love creating, and finding new things to make - even though most of them don't end up seeing the light of day! I'm actually heading into my 14th week of my first pregnancy, so I'm looking forward to becoming a mamma for the first time too.

Q. What do you see yourself doing in 5 years (either as a part of Etsy or otherwise)?:A. In five years, I would love to have my own little studio and be doing this full time. I still would love to be working in the mental health sector - at least part time! and maybe be a mom to more than this little one. If the husband and I could put our heads together to start our own business, that would be fantastic too!Q What is your favorite item in your shop right now and why?

A. My favorite item is: http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=14713134 while my silver collection isn't my best seller, I'm in love with the process and the shine of sterling! This one is a perfect contrast of texture! the disc can also be worn convex or concave - shielding you from negative energy... or absorbing good!

Well, it's late October and here in Ontario, Canada the temperatures are dropping as quickly as the Canadian Dollar. (Oh Dear! Bad joke!!) So with the colder weather, one must prepare themselves by making amendments to their wardrobe. Yes, my friends, I speak of the scarf.We all know that with winter comes the coat and most likely the hat and even sometimes, mittens. But not everyone has embraced the practicality, the functionality and the high fashion impact the scarf holds. In my eyes, everyone simply must love scarves.Now having said I all of that, I feel that I must mention that I am, well, biased. You see, I love to make scarves and therefore have undying love and respect for all of them. I think everyone should have them. Long ones, fat ones, skinny ones, red ones. I don't discriminate! All scarves are of equal beauty and serve an equal purpose. A scarf can save your face, literally. Wrap your cheeks with a sumptuous, soft and lovely scarf this winter and watch the changes happen in your skin. By taking protective measures against the wind, you will be saved from the terrible dry flaky cheeks of years gone by. You'll look great and have great skin as a bonus!Now let's take a look at some of your options. You'll be pleasantly surprised to see that you don't have to wear that same old thin tartan scarf from your youth (although you should hold on to it and put it into your rotation)! Today, with so many fabulous designers out there, you could wear a different scarf everyday of the season! Currently my favorite style is a long very soft wool scarf with the fringe running along the side instead of just adorning the ends. Talk about DRAMA (see photo at top of post)!! Even though I have been making these for over a year now, I'm still debating on what to call them "SideSwept" Scarves or "SideWinder" Scarves. Perhaps I will hold a poll on a future post.

Also piquing my interest in the scarf world of late are the Scarflette and Lariat Style Scarves. Both will change the look of your attire in an instant. The Scarlette works so well under your huge bulky coat, simply because it hugs your neck. No fuss, no muss! A Scarflette is similar to a cowl with the difference lying in only how they are put on. The scarflette is worked as an open ended piece that is fastened with either a broach, button or a tie of some sort. Thus far, I have enjoyed the many fantastic button options available. My next step with no doubt include the brilliant broaches out there! Lariat style scarves are unique. Thin and versatile, they serve to act more as an accessory rather than a functional weather barrier (although some may surprise you and act as both!). I enjoy them immensely, just wrap (and wrap and wrap) and wait for the complements (yes, they will come!). Lately I have been combining up to 3 Lariat scarves at once to create a dimensional, dramatic piece that has many looks. Each piece and be worn separate of each other and can be worn in a number of ways. Wear it every day of the week, but never the same way twice - how cool is that!?

So I implore all of the doubters out there - give scarves a chance! You'll be happy you did! And look fabulous to boot! Browse my ridiculously fantastic scarf inventory here.

My sincere apologies! My "weekly" spotlight has turned into a biweekly spotlight this time around. Life has been crazy the past week and a bit. In the past 8 days we have sold our old truck, sold our HOUSE, my husband graduated trade school (with HONOURS no less!) and we have bought ourselves a new abode! Very exciting times!

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So onto the spotlight. bstudio uses the needlecraft technique of silk ribbon embroidery to create unique and lovely pieces such as pillows, note cards and other fabulous accessories. Here's what she has to say about her art:

"I work primarily in silk ribbon and started out making embroidered pillows and ring pillows. I find that once I become comfortable and familiar with the techniques of a medium I like to experiment and explore. That has lead me to try my hand at greeting cards and my latest addition in my shop which is jewelry made with silk ribbon. I love the whole process of designing and creating all the items in my shop.When I first started crafting, I was working in needlepoint and discovered the work of KaffeFasset. I'm impressed with his way of using color and design that is so different from the traditional methods.

I’m also inspired by the work of glass artist Dale Chihuly, another artist who ‘thinks outside the box’ when it comes to the medium he works in. That's what I like to do too, take the medium and see what I can do with it, not what the instructions tell me to do with it.

My inspiration comes from many sources, some are easy to identify, like the flowers in my garden or the nature that surrounds me but others are more ephemeral and just seems to grow and develop like a seed. I love to look through design and craft magazines and books and even fashion mags just to get the essence of a style or an idea. I have an interior design background working mostly on office spaces. This gives my work a split personality, some of it will be decorative and some of it will be more stylized. It will depend on what my idea is and what the ribbon or fabric says to me."

As you can see, her work is simply beautiful! Go and check out her shop, you won't be disappointed!

Here it is Tuesday and I have already dropped the ball on my "weekly" Etsy shop feature! I promise to have a new shop for you tomorrow!

I had a great weekend! I had ordered several items in the past couple of weeks and happily they all arrived on Friday! What fun I had opening such lovely treasures! (Some of which I cannot mention here as they are gifts!). But I can say that I absolutely adore my new apron from Boojiboo. I twirled around like a little girl for a good ten minutes! My husband, who knows I'm a little crazy, was just laughing and shaking his head! Now that I have such beautiful Kitchen attire, I must learn to cook and bake!!

Not to be a boastful Betty...but I was notified by a fellow Etsian, Wallisdesigns yesterday that she had featured me in her treasury about urban decay. Visit the Treasury before Saturday night to feast your eyes on this "Beautiful Decay".

Even one better, after thanking her profusely, she let me know that she had chosen my photo first, and that's what had inspired the treasury. Wow! Words can't expressed how flattered I am! Thanks again, Nancy, and what a great job! It looks fantastic! I encourage everyone to stop by her shop, Wallis Designs, and check out her wonderful jewelry! I love this necklace.

And special thanks to ArtmakersWorlds, who helped with the screen shot! An enormous help!

(**As I put together this post, my son recognized the picture..."There's Nana's Door!" He's 3.)

Yesterday, as I perused the forums on Etsy, I came across a fun thread.

jrdnart said "Be in my treasury". It was still a new thread so I hopped on board! She had a very unique treasury idea...here's a screen shot!

There's me bottom left! Click on the photo above to visit the Treasury until it expires Friday October, 3rd. Have fun!

So the idea was, she asked all of us interested to change the first photo of the item we wanted to feature in her treasury, add a picture of ourselves to the listing and that way people have a chance to meet you! Brilliant! Thanks jrdnart for such a creative and interesting treasury!!!